Posts [ 10 ]

Topic: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

Hi everyone, ran out of places to try and find a solution and wonder if I can ask for help here?

I have a Toshiba Laptop that only has a software keyboard switch to enable disable the WLAN using Fn+F8 ... Nothing seems to get this to work. I even loaded win xp using all the driver packs and everything installed but WLAN still can not be turned on.

I have downloaded all the packs Toshiba recommend and followed the full instructions to the letter (TVAP and Flash Cards etc.) What really puzzels me is the Flash Cards doesn't even display the Fn+F8 icon ???

I've tried with a broadcom card and its exactly the same. I've even tried what many linux guys do by insulating pin 11 and or 13 on both the intel and broadcom cards (pin 11 stopped windows seeing the card at all and pin 13 did nothing) I think it needs a BIOS update but Toshiba have never release one. Running Win7 ultimate 64 bit.

I would think it was a hardware fault if it wasn't for the fact half the Internet seems to be Toshiba customers struggling to get wireless to switch using the Fn+F8 command.

Re: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

Ah, wasn't that "isolate pin 20" * to override disable (in effect enable) on Mini-PCIe WLAN's? (bottom side - 2nd trace from KEY-slot, towards middle of the card)?Pin 11 & 13 are REFCLK- & REFCLK+ on MiniPCIe respectively. Pin 13 is used to override-disable (in effect enable) on Mini-PCI WLAN's. Ensure that your contacts are cleaned before isolating, with a cotton-swab & 99%-pure Isopropyl Alcohol (drug store - possibly over-the-counter - ask pharmacist if not on the shelf). **Remove any residue with a dry-swab & don't touch with fingers; not even clean fingers. Ordinarily i would lightly burnish just the contacts with 2000-grit sandpaper (yes, two-thousand-grit) before cleaning, although you may have a warranty to consider. *http://www.notebookforums.com/t/225429/ … st_3162600

I do note that your Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN is listed in your HWID's. This would seem to rule out whitelisting (as per HP, Lenovo, etc).Next question would likely be one you would ask yourself at this point (after isolating pin 20 *). Does it work with a linuxLive distro?

* Do this at your own risk; neither DriverPacks or I will be responsible for any possible failures or warranty disqualification.** Observe proper safety procedures; Use nitrile gloves, in a well-ventilated area, use anti-static precautions as it's flammable, replace the cap immediately after wetting the cotton-swab to prevent spillage!

Re: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

Does Toshiba support Win7 on that model? If not, then there probably isn't a driver/utility for that function.My old Gateway notebook is like that. It has a bunch of media buttons that ONLY work with XP (not vista or win7).I'm with cdob. What model # are we talking about here?

I'm willing to bet that this is your troublemaker:ACPI\TOS1900\2&DABA3FF&1 : TOSHIBA x64 ACPI-Compliant Value Added Logical and General Purpose Device

Re: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

Thanks for the replies,

Comes as standard with a realtek wlan card and win7 64 bit op sys. The realtek 801.n card, I presumed was stolen but now I think it just stopped working and was exchanged for the broadcom card. Now I'm trying to get (either that or) the intel one to work. Both of which have supported tosh drivers here... http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/wlan/?page=downloads

Re: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

First off, is this a DriverPacks issue?

2nd; I assume the F8 button itself works. The Fn key does not generate a scan code unto itself.

3rd; I use a piece of pre-cut scotch tape for it's lack of thickness, with a little overhang at the end of the card. Rub the tape with a clean cotton swab after application to reinforce the adhesive. Pre-cleaning improves adhesive ability; remove any trace of fingerprints after. Insert slowly. Test the ability to 'see' networks with antennae disconnected (or with known good spares) to rule out that possibility; however remote.

4th; it's refreshing to see that someone may be willing to 'play'; it took me over an hour of my good time to collate relevant information without resorting to plagiarism. Perhaps my info may not be relevant, yet i do offer an electronics perspective, when others far more capable with software weigh in on that front. I did catch your incorrect pin usage; surprised? If i seem a little testy, remember this; i don't desire anyone to pucker-up on my behalf (other than say, maybe Paula Abdul), i just hope for answers (whether i'm right or rong) to help me to help you, while hopefully helping others.

Anyway; 5th; Toshiba's l450d maintenance manual (includes Mini-PCIe port pinout) states that any WLAN hardware problem is likely the WLAN card, the antennae, or the mobo; not that that adds anything overly insightful. Ask me sometime about tin-whiskers & tin-plague; better yet, check NASA (Goddard) as they have extensively researched this topic. Is there any chance that it was stored for any length of time below 13°C, or overheated? Is it even clean inside? I gently use a soft to medium bristle nylon brush, then compressed air for cleaning dust & debris. I do note that without your original WLAN card, you may be SOL for warranty anyway. Don't quote me on that, i'm not a Toshiba rep.; investigate if necessary.

Q. How many computer programmers does it take to screw in a light bulb?A. None, that's a hardware issue.

Re: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

botus wrote:

Comes as standard with a realtek wlan card and win7 64 bit op sys. The realtek 801.n card, I presumed was stolen but now I think it just stopped working and was exchanged for the broadcom card. Now I'm trying to get (either that or) the intel one to work.

Which wlan cards did you used? Do you use general replace hardware?Do you use a wlan card distributed by toshiba?Does toshiba uses a special firmware?

Did Fn+F8 worked in the past? Did you replace wlan card only?Fn+F8 is not part of wlan driver. That's a addional software. Did you reinstall windows in the meantime?

Re: [SLVD] Hardware radio switch is off

Sorry TechDud, by playing I meant my worn out eyesight and big hands not the info. F8 does allow you to boot to safe mode so its working.

Its not per se a driver pack issue. Although after 10 hours fighting win 7 I did install Win xp with many driver packs including WLAN 1109! and HID 1109r1! I was in same position everything in device manager happy but could not switch wireless status. I did not get any toshiba extras to work. So for toshiba users maybe if this is can be resolved, it may help these users when using driver packs There seems to be many users who have the same situation I'm in..

Laptop seems in very good condition and doesn't seem to get hot and bothered. It had a fresh install of windows last weekend using a toshiba disk when I started working on it, all Fn buttons worked (sleep / brightness etc.) but F8 did nothing. When I went on Win update it updated graphics and wlan drivers, then got SP1.

As I understand it TVAP adds the function button ability. Flash cards does this as well but allows a popup to give more details of features when Fn is pressed. When nothing helped I uninstalled the Broadcom card (BCM94312HGM) and drivers and put in a brand new Intel card. Using an Intel package this gives "wireless disabled hardware radio switch is off"

On this machine F8 does not display in flash cards. I have tried 3 different TVAP versions none gave anymore functionality. Its now back running TVAP and Flash cards as reco on the page for this laptop.

The amber wireless enabled light displays for about 3 seconds till windows kicks in then it goes off. If you check / edit BIOS settings it stays on longer when you reboot maybe 10 seconds and again goes off as windows kicks in.